Winning start for Mourinho; Reds pip Arsenal in a thriller

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for Manchester United.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored as Manchester United defeated Bournemouth 3-1 in Jose Mourinho's first Premier League game as manager on Sunday, while Liverpool edged Arsenal in a 4-3 thriller. Juan Mata and captain Wayne Rooney were also on target at Bournemouth as United recorded a straightforward win that left them top of the table after the season's opening weekend.
Philippe Coutinho scored twice as Liverpool recovered from falling behind to Theo Walcott's goal at the Emirates Stadium, with Adam Lallana and Sadio Mane also on target for Jurgen Klopp's men. "Eric Cantona was here at the best moment in his career. This guy is more than a player," Mourinho said of Ibrahimovic, who opened his United account with a low drive from 25 yards. Ibrahimovic, a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, has now scored on his debuts in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
"For the next two seasons I think he can be phenomenal for the team and the Premier League," Mourinho added. "It's incredible how Zlatan has never won the Golden Ball, but he wants to win the Premier League, not the Golden Ball."
 Ibrahimovic, 34, said: "It's important to start good. Being new to the league is not easy. Everything is new for me: my team-mates, the clubs, the environment. I just play my game."
 The charismatic Swedish star was handed a competitive full debut at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium along with fellow new signing Eric Bailly. United's 89 million pounds (105 million euros, $116 million) record signing Paul Pogba was unavailable due to suspension.
Spectators at the Emirates Stadium were treated to a goal-fest as Arsene Wenger's injury-depleted Arsenal were beaten at home in their opening league fixture for the third time in four years.
 Injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, plus Laurent Koscielny's lack of match fitness, obliged Wenger to deploy Calum Chambers and new signing Rob Holding in an inexperienced centre-back pairing. Having seen a penalty pushed away by Simon Mignolet, Walcott atoned by drilling Arsenal into a 31st-minute lead.